Greg Wichman moved to adopt the hearing examiner's proposed decision and approve the transfer of shares/ownership in High Country Livestock, Inc. (dba Montana Livestock Auction) from Sandra Nuffer to Barry and Dannielle McCoy. Alan Redfield seconded. The motion passed.
Lindsey Simon said that a request for a protective order had been filed that the financial information that had been submitted in conjunction with the proposed transfer be held confidential
(24:45) 8:26 AM
Jake Feddes moved to grant a motion for protective order regarding the finances reported to the Montana Department of Livestock of High County Livestock, Incorporated in their transfer of shares/ownership of Montana Livestock Auction. William Kleinsasser seconded. The motion passed.
Mike Honeycutt reported that there was a process now in place by the Department of Interior, the Park Service, to replace the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Yellowstone Bison that was adopted in 2024:
Mr. Honeycutt said that the Governor's Office, FWP and the DOL were primary cooperating partners on the State side and have been engaged in meetings and conversations to provide input to the Park Service on development of alternatives in that EIS
Dr. Tahnee Szymanski said that the Park Service usually does their Fall Bison counts at the end of August or beginning of September and so she was hoping to have the post-calving numbers within the next 30 days
A rogue Yellowstone Bison bull wandered out of the west side of the Park recently and it was believed to have made its way to Idaho
Mike Honeycutt reported that the DOL was in ongoing litigation with regards to BLM grazing allotments in Phillips County, attached to the property owned by American Prairie:
Ivr. Honeycutt reported that Judge Morris had heard arguments from American Prairie, BLM and the State that week to grant a stay on the decision by BLM asking American Prairie to remove bison from those grazing allotments. No word on Judge Morris' decision had been received, as of yet
Riley Meredith, Public Information Officer for the DOL, introduced himself to the BOL